Tuesday, July 5, 2005

Outdoors with John Perkovich
Once again, John finds himself across the inlet at work without a way to get a story out. With all the business of summer I find it hard to even imagine how he has time to even think of something to write about. I for one have never been any good at it, but I can relate what is happening. I don't quite understand why the wildlife agencies are not doing something about the bears. I have several friends that have had their own animals attacked and killed by them and have heard of many others. While I like bears, I don't think they should be allowed to just come in our yards and kill our domestic pets and livestock.

A Grizzly encounter
Damon Bowen is an atypical bird and bee's biologist and witty entertainer. An hour at his Alaskan Frontier show offers comical insights about beetles, ants and other biological wonders that will change how the summer visitor and Alaskan view the great land. It is a "fast-paced and humorous overview" of Alaskan wildlife from the "cellular to the largest mammals." Bowen has been employed as a state and federal field-research biologist, doing work in remote areas of the United States. He has survived a canoe tip over in the Arctic Circle, losing food, supplies and suffering hypothermia days away from the nearest village, wilderness bear encounters, and temperatures exceeding 130 degrees in backcountry areas of the Grand Canyon while collecting field data.

Local Quilters take top awards at 11th annual Quilt show
For the past 11 years visitors to the Quilting on the Kenai show have been amazed at the creativity and talent of local quilters. Talent that has gone on to earn national recognition in the quilt art community, "Every year has been fun and our goal has been to always add something new and different, worthy of someone coming to visit and every year I have been amazed when we unveil the quilts and garments. This year we introduced hats by Susan Well Smith for the first time, along with fabric post cards that have been created out of fabric and mailed from all over the world," said Pat Reese, owner of Robin Place Fabrics, who has organized the show each year.

Kenai River Raven has new owners, new Chef, & new taste delights
Some people refer to the Kenai River Raven Bed & Breakfast as the Princess Lodge of Soldotna. The River Raven shares a similar setting on the mighty Kenai River and similar rustic log architecture with elegant furnishings. The difference is it's closer to the fish and you don't have to drive to Cooper Landing to enjoy the experience.

NOW PLAYING: War of the Worlds
Talk about a trifecta. The ultimate alien invasion story directed by the ultimate fantasy director starring the ultimate action star. When Steven Spielberg announced that he and Tom Cruise were going to be adapting H.G. Wells' novel, it sounded like a match made in heaven. And mostly it is. Spielberg's dark vision of alien destruction meshes well with Cruise's reluctant hero and the end result is entertaining, if a little frustrating.

Patriotism on parade
It was a red, white and blue celebration in downtown Kenai on Monday, as community organizations, interest groups and individual members gathered to take part in the Independence Day parade and festivities.

Fit to be tied
As people waited in line at the Soldotna Post Office on Thursday, there was a little more blue in the atmosphere  and less other color.

CPGH extinguishes smoking on grounds
After much wrangling, the Central Peninsula General Hospital Inc. Board of Directors voted to establish the Soldotna hospital as a tobacco-free campus.

Lake dumping in Pebble's future?
Northern Dynasty Mines Inc. is still at least a year away from applying for permits for its Pebble Mine project northwest of Iliamna, but a permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allowing a Southeast Alaska mining operation to dump tailings into a freshwater lake has raised concerns among environmentalists that a similar permit might be granted for Pebble.

Ombudsman will help protect future of PBS
The Public Broadcasting Service has decided to hire an outside ombudsman to look at whether its programming leans too far to the left and whether editorial practices should be revised.

Births
Krystal Jones of Kenai announces the birth of her daughter, Fiona Maye Wolfe, at 8:56 a.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2005, in the back of an SUV in a wayside by Quartz Creek.

Around the Peninsula
Soldotna chamber to meet
Christmas in July bazaar slated
Historical society to meet
Volleyball courts open
Keeper to celebrate anniversary
Israel alliance seminar set
Women's run seeking volunteers

Armstrong eyes yellow jersey
TOURS, France  Lance Armstrong pedaled beside the overall leader of the Tour de France and admired his taste in fashion. The six-time champion wants to be decked out in yellow again, and he might not have to wait long.

Twins, South split double dip
The American Legion Twins split a doubleheader with South Anchorage Sunday at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai.

Oilers stung with loss
The Peninsula Oilers suffered their third straight defeat Monday, dropping a 14-7 decision to the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks at Growden Memorial Park in Fairbanks.

Oswalt leads Astros past Padres
HOUSTON  Roy Oswalt made a strong case for late All-Star voters, pitching a five-hitter to lead the Houston Astros past the San Diego Padres 4-1 Monday.

With another Wimbledon title, Federer's game stands alone
WIMBLEDON, England  A day before Wimbledon began, Andy Roddick stood on a slope overlooking the practice courts at the All England Club. Down below, Roger Federer was going through a training session, and Roddick sneaked a peek.